As government spending on housing and infrastructure gains pace in India, the world's second-largest cement market is set to accelerate and the country's low cement intensity offers the industry huge headroom for growth.

Consolidation is in the full swing in the Indian Cement Industry. The pace has accelerated over the last four years. It has not been happening just because of operational reasons, but heavy debt built up by some players.

Foundation of Infrastructure Research Studies Training (FIRST) hosted the 15th CONSTRUCTION WORLD Annual Awards at ITC Grand Central, Parel, in Mumbai. The names of India’s Fastest Growing Construction Companies were unveiled at the grand award ceremony, which was attended by well-known personalities from the construction world and the industry stalwarts.

In the last few years, many new corporates have entered the cement arena. Even the entities, which have no synergies with steel or power, are trying to get a foothold in the cement industry. The new entrants include diversified industrials as far apart as oilseeds, fast-moving consumer goods and shipyards.

GST is not just an accounting changeover but a systemic one! And the countries who adopted GST faced inflationary pressures during early stages of the cut over time, but proved otherwise in the long run.